Harak stresses on people's role in development of hill areas
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat has underlined the need of people’s participation in ensuring sustainable development in hills.

Harak Singh Rawat was addressing a state-level dialogue on changing development pattern in ecologically sensitive Uttarakhand organised by Oxfam India in Dehradun today. He said the government itself could not ensure sustainable development in environmentally fragile hills of Uttarakhand and the participation of people was necessary for the success of any sustainable development initiative.

He also released a poster highlighting the importance of sustainable development.

Director of the People Science Institute Ravi Chopra said poor governance was the reason behind little efforts on part of the governments in power in Uttarakhand to learn from natural disasters in the past.

He said while Uttarkahand was the first state to set up Disaster Management Department, but due to lack of effective governance, the state disaster preparedness has been found wanting.

Chopra pointed out that it was strange that despite a clear-cut warning of heavy rains, the state government did not take adequate measures and on the contrary started blaming the Met Department.

He said people had lost their connect with the forests as governments in power had failed to restore natural resources to the local community. ''We need to restore mountain agriculture and even go for off farm employment opportunities to those who have little of land for agriculture,” Chopra pointed out.

Social activist Shekhar Pathak said a proper scientific explanation was still to come for Kedarnath tragedy. “Scientists are still to analyse reasons for the mid- June disaster,” Pathak said.

He said migration was increasing rapidly from hills and referred to 2011 population census in Pauri and Almora districts, asserting that the overall population had come down drastically in the two districts. He said scarcity of agriculture land and with no other option of employment was forcing the hill people to migrate to plain areas.

Uttarakhand forest officer Jyotsana Sitling strongly advocated payment to the state by the Planning Commission for ecological services rendered to the country. She spoke at length about efforts undertaken by her to curb rampant mountaineering expeditions in Uttarakhand peaks.

Former Vice Chancellor of HNB Garhwal Univeristy SP Singh, Conservator of Forests SM Joshi, Dehradun Meteorological Department's Executive Director Anand Sharma and other officials were present on the occasion. 

ASSEMBLY SESSION
Speaker rejects breach of privilege motion against govt 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
The Opposition BJP on Thursday moved a breach of privilege motion against the government for misleading the House on the issue of alleged sale of sainik farm land at Patthar Chatta in Udham Singh Nagar. But it was rejected by the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal.

Moving the privilege motion the Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Ajay Bhatt said: ''Strict punishment should be given under rule of law and the government should give us assurance that the land under sainik farm would continue to be used for welfare of the ex-servicemen,'' said Bhatt.

In an emotional speech Bhatt highlighted the manner in which the government went about the task of not renewing the lease of 1423 acres of land that partly comprises forest and agriculture. ''Then in April, 2013, a meeting of the managing committee of the Uttarakhand ex-servicemen rehabilitation organisation was held that recommended utilising a part of the land for settling landless people. But the government hid the decision. Then in January 2014 another government order was issued demanding why a decision had not been taken by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Land transfer) for initiating activity for transfer of land. In the past too, the government had tried to give part of the land to the oil companies and this time around, too, the government in the name of rehabilitating the landless people was ready to sell off the land as it was done in SIDCUL, until the Opposition got the wind of it,'' said Bhatt.

However, the Leader of the House and Chief Minister Harish Rawat said that the Opposition was confusing the minutes of the meeting chaired by the Governor with a government order. ''The government cannot comment on the decision of the Governor. The Council of Ministers can only advice the Governor to change the decision if they feel it is not in the interest of any pillar of the state. Sometimes we fail to understand a situation. Moreover, from the minutes of the meeting it is clear that the issue of settling Van Gujjars and Tongiya tribesmen was taken up. No one should have any objection,'' he said.

However, the Opposition remained unmoved and demanded that the Leader of the House Harish Rawati give an assurance in the House that status quo would exist and the sanik farm land would only be used for the welfare of the ex-servicemen, but Rawat failed to make any commitment. He again reiterated that he would approach the Governor and discuss the issue with him and also defended the officer who had passed the government order.

After listening to the Leader of the House and the Opposition benches, the Speaker rejected the breach of privilege motion, angering the Opposition which immediately trooped to the well of the House with placards demanding action.

BJP MLA says teacher posts lying vacant as govt paints rosy picture
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Cabinet Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani said today that to tide over the shortage of teachers in Uttarakhand, the government had requested the State Public Service Commission to advertise for filling 1,213 vacant posts of lecturer.

While replying to a starred question raised by BJP MLA Mahavir Singh Rangar in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly today, Cabinet Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani said the government had already filled 13,834 posts of lecturer on the basis of promotions.

He said there was no shortage of teachers at the high school and the intermediate level. “In Garhwal and Kumaon divisions against the 9,710 sanctioned posts, around 6,757 teachers were working while 2,953 posts still remained vacant. In the same manner under LT (grade) against 18,732 posts 14,776 teachers were working.” However, in a supplementary question, BJP MLA Madan Kaushik said according to his estimate around 9,000 posts of teachers in all grades remained vacant and the minister (Naithani) was only trying to present a rosy picture.

However, Naithani brushed off the allegations and said since taking over the department he had taken several proactive steps for tiding over the problem of shortage of teachers. “After we approached the Central government, relaxation was brought and the Shiksha Mitars were exempted from taking the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).”

Damaged schemes

Cabinet Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani said 53 water-related schemes were damaged in last uear’s natural disaster in the Yamkeshwar block, out of which repair work had been completed on six schemes, while 47 others were temporarily restored and the work was being carried under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP).

While replying to a question raised by BJP MLA Vinod Bartwal, Naithani said the remaining repair and restoration work would be carried under Sector Wide Approach Programme (SWAP) under which Rs 220 crore had already been sanctioned.

Water scarcity problem Naithani said in order to resolve the water scarcity problems being faced by the people of Masandwala falling under Garhi Cant (Mussoorie Assembly seat), the government had set up a mini tubewell and further measures would be taken under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for which Rs 10 lakh had been sanctioned for the Jal Sansthan.

The minister was replying to a question raised by BJP MLA Sahdev Singh Pundir in the House today.

Grants passed

The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a grant of Rs 46.64 crore for the Election Department, Rs 44.73 crore for the Finance, Tax, Planning Department and the Secretariat, Rs 203.18 crore for the Department of Revenue and General Administration, Rs 50 crore for the Department of Cooperatives, and Rs 122 crore for the Irrigation Department for 2014- 2015. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh tabled the demands of various departments in the afternoon session and said these would fulfil the immediate need of speeding up development works in the state. 

Rising revenue from sainik farm good for ex-servicemen's welfare
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Sainik farm at Patthar Chatta in Udham Singh Nagar has earned a record revenue of Rs 4.72 crore till date this year, the highest ever since it came into existence. This 1,423-acre is quoting controversy again for an alleged attempt by the state government to sell it. The money generated from this farm is used for various welfare schemes for ex-servicemen.

Given on lease to private farmers, the farm has been making money from fruit orchids, pisciculture and agriculture. It has earned more than Rs 4 crore for the Uttarakhand Sainik Punarvas Sanstha till date this year, a figure that is double the income earned in 2012-2013 from other sources. Considered to be the main and perhaps the highest source of revenue generation for the Uttarakhand Sainik Punarvas Sanstha, the farm has always remained embroiled in a controversy regarding attempts by the state government to sell it.

The revenue earned from the farm and other activities like Armed Forces Flag Day and donations is used for various welfare activities for ex-servicemen, war widows and kin of the martyrs. While the directorate is looking after orchids and fish farming, the cultivable land is given to the private players on a renewable management contract for three years.

After World War-II the Governor of Uttar Pradesh had set up a UP Post War Services Reconstruction Fund for the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen and the government contributed Rs 50 lakh to it. However, to increase revenue the Uttar Pradesh government acquired three Sainik Farms at Amausi, Atari and Patthar Chatta on lease in 1953. Patthar Chatta came to Uttarakhand’s kitty after it was carved out as a separate state from Uttar Pradesh. For three consecutive years the farm faired badly on the revenue front and it could earn only Rs 3.10 lakh.

Now a controversy has erupted again over an alleged attempt by the state government to sell it. Ex-servicemen have criticized the reported government move. Brig KG Behl (retd) termed the move as condemnable and said, “If rumours are true then perhaps it would be the biggest disaster in the history of ex-servicemen’s welfare. The farm is the major source of earning to be used for the welfare and rehabilitation of our soldiers. It would be like depriving them of their hope for a better future. The government should not even think about selling it or the ex-servicemen fraternity would launch a massive protest.”

Lt Col Ganga Singh Rawat (retd), who had staged a protest over the issue a month ago, said, “We will meet Chief Minister Harish Rawat on the issue. Earlier, we had spoken with former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna but he had shown no interest to the issue. We will never let the farmland go under hammer.”

City set to celebrate Valentine’s Day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
The city is all set to celebrate Valentine’s Day with aplomb. From decked up shops to restaurants dishing out amazing deals and special meals, the city has left no stone unturned to make the day even more special for the love birds.

While the shops are loaded with special Valentine gifts catering to the need of every couple and age group, hotels have also come up with special deals for the couples.

To ensure that the day passes off peacefully the district police has made ample arrangements for security in every nook and corner of the city. Making full use of the day, florists in the city have doubled the rates of flowers, especially the red rose. A single stick is being sold at a whopping cost of Rs 50-60,, making it a testing time for the lovers to prove their love. 

Doon turning into crime capital of the state
Gaurav Talwar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Dehradun, once known as a “city of grey hair and green hedges,” is turning into a crime capital of the state. Murder of property dealers in Dehradun in the last couple of months is depicting such a picture.

According to experts, the killings have once again brought to the fore the gaining interest of Uttar Pradesh’s land mafia in Dehradun real estate and its alleged involvement in the recent murders.

Incidentally, all the property dealers who have been shot dead in Dehradun in the past couple of months over some property disputes hailed from western Uttar Pradesh districts, and had settled down in Dehradun to bear fruit of the booming real estate market.

Reportedly, on Wednesday morning, Dharampal, a property dealer, who hailed from Bagpat district of Uttar Pradesh, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his house on Guru Road in the Patel Nagar police station area in Dehradun. Similarly, another property dealer, namely Sanjay Narang, was shot dead outside his house in Nunurkheda a week back.

Sanjay was the native of Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh. The murder of contractor, Firoz Ali, which took place last month in Jakhan area was also seen as the result of property dispute.

“Dehradun city experienced an unprecedented boom in real estate market after 2000 when Uttarakhand became a separate state and Dehradun became its capital. Land mafia from Uttar Pradesh and other states bought large pieces of lands here in a hurry without proper demarcation and legal registration, which later lead to property disputes and resulted into surge in murders and criminal activities in Dehradun,” senior criminal lawyer Razia Beg told The Tribune.

On other hand, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Dehradun, Sanjay Gunjyal, claims that availability of easy money in the disputed property has lead to confrontation between different groups and people from outside Uttarakhand, who had mainly invested in such properties.

According to him, such property-related killings could be stopped if the police tightened security around property dealers in Dehradun and stopped all dubious property dealings.

While property disputes are being cited as the prime reasons behind most of the gruesome killings in Dehradun, the police still do not seem to have an effective strategy to deal with the growing menace.

Taking a serious note of the recent killings, the Chief Minister Harish Rawat has announced to set up a special task force to curb the rising crime incidents over property issues in Dehradun and adjoining districts.

Former Legislative Assembly Speaker and BJP MLA Harbans Kapoor also raised the issue in the Assembly on Wednesday. He asked the government to ensure safety of residents of Dehradun.

When contacted, DIG (Garhwal), Amit Sinha, and SSP, Dehradun, Ajay Rautela, were not available for comment. 

Noted killings over property disputes

• February 2014- Dharampal murder case
• February 2014- Sanjay Narang murder case
• January 2014- Firoz Ali murder case
• September 2013- Rajesh Kumar murder case
• March 2008- Vinay Chetri murder case

Left seeks special status for state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Left parties have sought special state status for disaster-hit Uttarakhand.

Arya: Feb 15 meeting to focus on poll strategy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Uttarakhand Congress president Yashpal Arya today said the Uttarakhand Congress Committee’s extended meeting slated to take place in Dehradun on February 15 was aimed to draw out party strategy for the coming panchayat and Lok Sabha elections.

In a statement issued today, Yashpal Arya the participants in the meeting would be informed about the achievements of the Congress governments both at Centre and the state.

Fire breaks out in medicine godown
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Property and medicines worth lakhs were gutted after a fire broke out in a medicine godown at Chatgali in the Kotwali police station area on Wednesday night.

After seeing smoke coming out of the godown, onlookers immediately informed the fire department after which fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Reportedly, the godown was located near Bhagwandas quarters.

According to the fire department officials, all the medicines and furniture was gutted before the fire tenders could put out the flames. The officials claim that the fire may have been caused due to short circuit.

CM seeks green bonus for state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has sought Rs 2,000 per annum as green bonus from the 14th Finance Commission.

The demand was made by the Chief Minister during a meeting with team members of the commission, who are on a visit to Uttarakhand, yesterday.

The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand had diverse geographical conditions with 64 per cent of its land covered by forests.

He said the withdrawal of the special industrial package and the last year's disaster had adversely affected the state's growth. He said Uttarakhand required immediate finance assistance.

He said high cost of public utilities in the hill state and lack of private investments had led to urgency of ensuring public investments in the region.

The Finance Commission Chairman, Dr YV Reddy, assured the Chief Minister of considering the concerns raised by him.

Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma gave a power point presentation on the occasion. Prof Abhijit Singh, Sushma Nath, Dr M Govind Rao and Dr Sudipto of the commission were present on the occasion. 

Model code not to stall reconstruction works
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
The Deputy Election Commissioner,Vinod Zutshi, on Thursday said the reconstruction work under way in the aftermath of the last year's natural disaster would be exempted from the election model code of conduct.

Zutshi, who is also the state in-charge for 2014 General Lok Sabha elections, said that the Election Commission had issued a comprehensive circular during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections in which it was clearly stated that the relief works and calamity related measures will continue even during the period when the model code of conduct (MCC) would be put in place. ''The government would be free to carry on the ongoing development works and these would not be stalled, especially in the affected districts,'' said Zutshi.

On the issue of the anticipated problems that the Election Commission was likely to face due to damaged roads and infrastructure in the affected districts for the conduct of elections, Zutshi said:" Many roads and bridges in the state are in a bad condition due to the mid-June natural disaster and we will make sure that that the polling parties face no problem in the designated places,'' he said.

He also added that connectivity and communication issues in many disaster hit areas are still being looked into. ''We are speaking with BSNL and other telecom operators to restore connectivity and are hopeful that these would be restored before the elections,'' he said. 

DMC loses Clock Tower project to MDDA
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Principal Secretary (Urban Development) MH Khan has handed over the Clock Tower renovation and beautification project to the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA).

The decision comes in the wake of the alleged failure of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) to start work even after a year of getting the project. Though the Principal Secretary could not be contacted for his comment, MDDA Secretary Banshidhar Tiwari has confirmed the move.

Tiwari said, "Verbal orders have been issued by the Principal Secretary. A written confirmation will soon be out. We have drawn up the entire plan of beautifying and renovating the Clock Tower. The project was then handed over to the DMC on its insistence. However, even after a year the DMC failed to start work on it that irked the authorities. Now it has come back to us," he said.

The Rs 52.50-lakh project was to be jointly funded by the DMC and Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited.

Tiwari said the height of the boundary wall around the Clock Tower would be reduced so as to felicitate the easy flow of traffic. "An LED fountain will be installed on the boundary wall so that posters and other publicity material are not pasted and defacement avoided. There is also plan of installing focus lights at the bottom of the tower so that it is visible from afar. A team from the Forest Research Institute has been contacted for translocating the banyan tree," he said.

"Once we are through with the cleaning of riverbeds in the city, work on the Clock Tower project will start," he added.

Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Ashok Kumar, however, said as of now, the DMC was just concerned with keeping the city garbage-free. “We don’t have time and manpower to take up any other project at the moment,” he said.

Author couple to get lifetime achievement award for promoting tourism
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 13
An author couple, Colleen and Hugh Gantzer, from Mussoorie have once again brought laurels to the town as they will be receiving the first-ever constituted lifetime achievement award for tourism at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi on February 18.

The award has been constituted by the Ministry of Tourism. President Pranab Mukherjee will present the award to the couple for their contribution towards promoting tourism through their writings and TV documentaries over the years, said Hugh Gantzer.

Residing in their Victorian Cottage in Oak Woods in Mussoorie, the couple is also the proud recipients of the prestigious National Tourism Award 2011-12 which they received last year for their two books on tourism and heritage of the country.

They have also hosted 52 weekly episodes of India’s first nationwide TV travel show, wrote the first travel scripts for dot.coms, won national and international awards, toured India and the world as guests of eager tourism organisations.

Speaking on the future of the tourism in the country Hugh Gantzer said there has been a major shift in thinking towards tourism as now most of the states in the country are vigorously promoting tourism, being one of the fastest growing industries of the world.

Speaking on the prospects of promoting tourism in Uttarakhand, Hugh Gantzer said, “We have Himalayas which is a unique selling point in itself but the state should rope in tourism experts in order to sell brand Uttarakhand across the globe.”

He added: “Tourists do not come to see the urban structures in Uttarakhand but they do visit to enjoy the pristine nature and environment which is not available to them back home therefore preserving the environment is in the best interests of the state, which wants to boost tourism.”

Presently, the author couple is working on a book based on Hotel Ashoka at New Delhi, the only hotel in the world to be conceived by the late Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru. 

SGRR institute to host conference on pharmaceutical sciences 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
A two-day international conference on pharmaceutical sciences will begin at the Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Technology and Science tomorrow. Experts from across the globe will be attending the event.

Wide-ranging discussions on education and research in pharmaceutical discipline will be held during the conference. This will be the first conference of its kind in the state.

Prof Preeti Kothiyal, Principal of the pharma department of the institute, told mediapersons here yesterday that the president of the Pharmacy Council of India, Dr B Suresh, would be the chief guest. He would deliver the keynote lecture.

Vice-Chancellor and Secretary, Pharmacy Council of India, Archana Mudgal; Vice-President of Centre for Responsible Nutrition, USA, Dr James Griffith and WHO Switzerland’s Dr Shanti Paul would share their valuable ideas, knowledge and experiences with the students during the conference.

Postal staff continues protest; day-to-day services take a hit
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
On the second day of the ongoing strike, agitating postal department employees organised a massive protest demonstration in wake of non-acceptance of their long pending demands at the General Post Office, here today.

The ongoing strike rendered a set back to the basic services such as couriers, money orders and fixed deposits. On a call given by Akhil Bhartiya Daak Karamchari Sangarsh Samiti, the state postal employees joined the strike.

Addressing the demonstrators, Prem Singh Panwar, state President of the samiti, said as part of their demands, they were seeking the filling up of vacant posts, abolishing the downsizing, outsourcing, privatisation and contracts in the government departments, provision for overtime, night allowance, uniform allowance and five promotions for every employee apart from creation of new posts.

Those who were part of the demonstration included LD Tiwari, Dyal Singh Sajwan, Chandi Prasad, Darpan Singh Rawat, Chandrapal Singh, RP Uniyal and Madan Gopal along with several others.

Demand for recruitment of sanitation employees
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
The Rajya Safai Karamchari Aayog here today submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Harish Rawat demanding the recruitment of more sanitation workers.

In a press note issued here, aayog chief Bhagwat Prasad Makwana said, "There is an acute shortage of sanitary staff in the Dehradun Municipal Corporation. While the area under the local bodies across the state has increased, no additional posts of sanitation worker have been created. Since May last year, the state government has stopped the recruitment of sanitation staff on a contractual basis. While the state government has ordered the regularisation of the services of contractual staff in other corporations, no such move has been initiated for the local bodies."

Senior citizens assure SSP of help in managing traffic
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 13
A delegation of senior citizens under the banner of the Uttarakhand Police Yatayat Mitr Sanstha met SSP, Dehradun, Ajay Rautela at his office in Dehradun today. It pledged its support to the police in controlling traffic during the peak tourist season on Mall Road in Mussoorie.

The president of the forum, Rama Shankar Mishra, told mediapersons that they had assured the SSP that an 85-member team would be supporting the traffic police during the peak tourist season in Mussoorie so that tourists did not face any inconvenience. He also spoke about various unsolved murder cases of senior citizens.

The SSP gave the delegation a patient hearing. He said he would hold a meeting in this regard before the start of the tourist season. 

Rawat made member of forest advisory panel
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, February 13
Former Mussoorie Municipal Council ward member from Congress Virendar Rawat has been nominated as one of the members of the Uttarakhand Forest and Environment Advisory Committee. Around 17 other members from around the state have also been named in the list released by the government recently.

Virendar Rawat thanked the government, MC president Manmohan Singh Mall and local Congress unit president Satish Dhaundiyal for naming him as a member of 
the committee.

CID probe ordered into Corbett sting operation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
The state Home Department has ordered a CB CID inquiry into the sting operation conducted by animal right activist Gauri Maulekhi, Member Secretary, People for Animals (PFA), Uttarakhand.

A plea in this regard was submitted by the PFA in October last year after gross corruption in Corbett Park was exposed by the member secretary. Gauri alleged large-scale irregularities were taking place in the management of canteen. She alleged that liquor was being served in Corbett forest rest houses and dumping of garbage inside the Corbett campus.

The matter had created furore and reached even at the level of state. Sources said the then Director of Corbett was also transferred after the sting operation.

SC panel holds protest to fill backlog
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
In view of the backlog of reserved category posts remaining vacant in the state government services, the SC, ST and OBT Backlog Committee held protest here yesterday.

The members of the committee gathered at Clock Tower and held a march to the Parade Ground. The protesters accused the government of adopting an apathetic attitude towards candidates belonging to the reserved category.

Kamlesh Bhatt, state president, SC, ST and OBT Backlog Committee, said the Chief Minister had given an assurance that a notification to fill 10,000 backlog posts would soon be issued but nothing had been done so far. 

SIs, inspectors reshuffled

Dehradun, February 13
Dehradun SSP Ajay Rautela transferred several sub-inspectors and inspectors here today.

Inspector (Kotwali) JP Juyal has been sent to the Patel Nagar police station and SS Bish will join at his place. Inspector Jaimal Negi has been sent to the Mussoorie police station while Anshu Chaudhary has been made in charge of the women's helpline in the district. According to the transfer list of the sub-inspectors, Hariom Chauhan has been made in charge of the Kalsi police station and Yashpal Singh has been sent to the Sahaspur police station.

Mukesh Tyagi has been made head of the Raipur police station whereas Manibhushan Shrivastav in charge of the Rani Pokhri police station.

From the Rajpur police station, Abul Kalam has been made in charge of the special operation group and Surya Bhushan Negi has been transferred to the Dalanwal police station from the district police headquarters. — TNS

Vikas Group beat Doon Boys
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 13
Vikas Group defeated Doon Boys by 24 runs in a match in the ongoing HN Bahuguna Memorial Glocal Dehradun Premier League (DPL) played at Globale School here today. Batting first, Vikas Group made 126 runs with Nikhil Pundir scoring the highest 25 runs. In reply, the Doon Boys team was bowled out for 102 runs. Anshul scored the highest 23 runs for Doon Boys.

In the second match, Sai Grace defeated Blue Star by 22 runs. Batting first, Sai Grace made 121 runs with Ankush and Deepak scoring 25 and 18 runs, respectively. While chasing the target, the Blue Star team was bowled out for 99 runs.

Haryana Eleven register win over U'khand Red

Two matches were played in the 6th All-India Uttarakhand Girish Bhadri Memorial Cricket Tournament here today.

In the first match, Haryana Eleven defeated Uttarakhand Red by 4 wickets. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Uttarakhand Red scored 153 runs in 35 overs with Siddharth scoring 44 runs and Harry 20. For Haryana Eleven, Shahbaz Khan and Sumit Kumar took 2 wickets each. In reply, Haryana Eleven achieved the target with much ease. Opener Rahul Yadav scored 27 runs.

In the end, Kabil’s 21-run innings took the team to victory. For Uttarakhand Red, Harjeet took 3 wickets.

Unido Infra, Delhi, win

In the second match, the Unido Infra, Delhi, team trounced TJCA, Noida, by 68 runs. After losing the toss and being put into bat first, Unido Infra showcased brilliant batting performance and made 284 runs at the loss of 7 wickets in 40 overs. Vikram Dhariwal scored a brilliant century while Chandrapa Saini scored 54 runs. For the Noida team, Ravinder and Rahat Elahi took 2 wickets each.

For the TJCA, Noida, team, opener Abhishek Rai scored 78 runs. However, after this the team started losing wickets on regular intervals. It could score only 216 runs. For Unido Infra, Arun took 4 wickets.

Constancia School beat Hilton School by 5 wickets

Constancia School defeated Hilton School by 5 wickets in the ongoing Sub Junior Inter School Cricket Tournament played at St. Jude's School here today. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Hilton School managed to score 96 runs with Vidit scoring highest 38 runs. From the bowling side, Devesh took 4 wickets. In reply, the openers of Constancia School gave them a good start with Ashu and Devesh scoring 29 and 21runs, respectively. The batsmen took their team to an easy 5-wicket victory.

In the second match, hosts St. Jude’s School got a walkover against The Aryan School, as the latter did not come to play the match

Youth commits suicide

Dehradun, February 13
A 22-year-old youth allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan in his house at Sanjay Vihar last evening.

According to information, the deceased, Vikki Thapa, had heated arguments with his family over some issue after which he went to his home and took the extreme step. His family reported the matter to the police, which broke open the room's door only to find him dead. — TNS